My Answer

We can never be good enough to earn Christ’s love

My Answer September 20, 2019

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I have been a sort of black sheep in my family and brought heartache to my parents who are now deceased. I have a lot of regret but can’t do life over again or ask forgiveness from them. How can a person find relief? — R.F.

A: The Bible tells us that God loves sheep. Think of Jacob cheating his brother, Esau, out of his rightful inheritance and his father’s blessing. Or Manasseh, rebelling against his godly father King Hezekiah and doing everything in his power to stamp out his father’s heritage. Yet, in time God humbled both Jacob and Manasseh, and they became God’s servants. It is never too late to turn to God.

No matter who we are or what we have done (or haven’t done), God still loves us, and He yearns to welcome every one of us home — even the black sheep. And although it may be surprising, all of us who call earth home are black sheep in God’s eyes, for we all have sinned and rebelled against God.

Never doubt the depths of God’s love — not even for the wayward black sheep. Jesus Christ, the suffering Lamb of God, died for every sheep and waits as the Good Shepherd to welcome His flock.

We can never be good enough to earn Christ’s love, but in His grace and mercy He has made a way for all to enter into His salvation through repentance of sin. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). He says to us today, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep … and they will hear My voice” (John 10:11, 16). Do not turn away from His voice calling you into His salvation today.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

About My Answer

Billy Graham has preached the Gospel to more than 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. Ordained in 1939 by a church in the Southern Baptist Convention, Graham received a solid foundation in the Scriptures at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College in Florida). In 1943, he graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois. After graduation, he preached throughout the United States and in Europe, emerging as a rising young evangelist, ultimately culminating in a 1949 Los Angeles crusade that led him to international prominence.

Today, Graham and his ministry are known around the globe. He has preached in remote African villages and in the heart of New York City. In 1950, Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, now headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. He has written numerous best-selling books and his autobiography, “Just As I Am,” achieved a Triple Crown award appearing on the three top best-seller lists in the same week.

Graham has received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award for contributions to the cause of freedom. He won the Big Brother Award for his work on behalf of children and has been cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute for his contributions to race relations. Graham has been recognized by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and the National Conference of Christians and Jews for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths.

Graham was regularly listed by the Gallup organization as one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World.”

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